Federal Way resident Lia Aguirre, 19, has never shown her work publicly, but her acrylic painting is now on display at the Federal Way Performing Arts and Event Center (PAEC) through the city’s Arts Alive exhibition from the Art Commission.
Her painting is joined by two pieces by her mother, Angelica Juarez.
Aguirre said she has been painting since she was around 8 years old, inspired by her mom.
Juarez has also been painting since a young age, but more recently has been focusing more on getting her art out into the world. She joked that one reason for this is that the volume of her work means there is “no room in my house.”
More seriously, she shared that she has more capacity to focus on her own passions at this point in her life. Speaking to her daughter, she described her thought process, saying “you guys are all grown up … I have free time … I need to start focusing on my art.”
Artists check in their art at the Federal Way Performing Arts and Event Center for Arts Alive. Photos by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror
Their art is now displayed at the PAEC, 31510 Pete von Reichbauer Way S. in Federal Way, in a gallery sponsored by the Federal Way Arts Commission called Arts Alive.
Arts Alive is a juried art exhibition “designed to give regional artists the opportunity to display their works in a public setting,” according the event description. A variety of mediums are accepted.
Artists dropped off their art on Sept. 11. The art will then be professionally judged.
Exhibition awards will include Juror’s Choice, with a prize of a $200 cash award and one-person exhibition at the PAEC. The Commission’s Choice winner will receive a $150 cash award and the People’s Choice winner will receive a $100 cash award.
All award winners will be invited to an award reception on Oct. 21 where they will be honored at the Federal Way City Council meeting.
The Federal Way Arts Commission and Federal Way staff member. From left to right, Vickie Chynoweth, Karen Brugato (Chair), Cindy Ducich, Iveta Felzenberg, Tom Bristol, Federal Way staff member Cassie Swan and Kimberly Bowman. Photos by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror
The art will be on display at the PAEC until January, functioning as both a gallery and a boost to the decor.
The Arts Commission also has other opportunities for local artists, including an open call for artists for the Commission’s Gallery Program.
Applications for that program are due on Nov. 3, 2025. These artists will be selected by a committee of the Arts Commission who will also select the gallery location. According to their website, all work to be shown must be original or reproduction, recent work (within the last two years), not completed under an instructor’s guidance, not previously exhibited.
The two gallery locations are the Performing Arts and Event Center (PAEC) and Knutzen Family Theatre Gallery.
For more information about Arts Commission activities and opportunities, visit www.federalwaywa.gov/page/arts-commission.
Federal Way artist Lia Aguirre submits a painting for Arts Alive. Photos by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror
Federal Way artist Jimmy Chuck drops off his nature-inspired acrylic paintings for Arts Alive at the Federal Way Performing Arts and Event Center. Photos by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror
Art waits to be displayed on the wall in the Federal Way Performing Arts and Event Center. Photos by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror
